The Kingda Ka at the Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is considered the tallest steel roller coaster at 456 feet and has the steepest drop of 418 feet. If you are a fan of roller coasters, it is one of the most thrilling and equally terrifying experiences in life. One ride on this mind-blowing contraction often leaves you wanting more. For fans of the Boston Celtics, the 2021-2022 season has equally been a roller coaster. At times, they have been thrilling moments but equally they have been terrifying to watch. Loyal fans of the team fail to look away because of the potential greatness or more agony to come. In this, article we will get you caught up on the five things to know from the season so far.
Number 5-Record against Good versus Bad Teams: the sample size of 53 games is large enough to tell you the traits of a team and its trajectory. The Celtics have played 32 teams against teams above .500, and in those games, the Celtics have a 15-17 record. The Celtics are 1-6 against the Nets, Suns, Sixers, Warriors, and the Jazz who are among the best teams in the league. The best teams execute their offensive and defensive game plans on a nightly basis but the Celtics have been overwhelmed in stretches against good teams. However, the team is better against the bad teams boasting a 13-8 record. This stat gives fans hope because to become a contending team, a team needs to take care of business against bad teams.
Number 4- Fourth Quarter Collapses: the Celtics record could have been far better if the team executed in the fourth quarter. The team famously blew their Christmas Day game against the Bucks after leading 102-90 with only 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter. On January 6, the team led the Knicks 71-53 in Madison Square in the third quarter before blowing the game and losing to an RJ Barrett miraculous bank shot. Celtics fans never feel safe with a big lead, and it almost feels like a collapse is inevitable. Coach Udoka needs to have his team stop making bad jump shots and share the ball better when the offense is in a funk. However, if the Celtics become a contending team, they must win tight games and closeout teams in the 4th quarter.
Number 3-Supporting casts are roller coasters: there is still doubt on how good the supporting cast be for this team as they head down the stretch. At the start of the season, the team was plagued with injuries that affected their chemistry. Many fans are clamoring for the trade of Marcus Smart as the defacto point guard because of his inconsistency. He is averaging a decent 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. The average assist per game makes him rank 26th in the league which is concerning. Still, he may be turning the corner with a 12-assist game against the Pelicans on January 29. Dennis Schroeder’s name is rumored in trade talks but he has played well at various points in the season. However, he has struggled with his shot during games and made unforced turnovers. Al Horford is still a defensive anchor but he has taken a step back in 3-point percentage. He is shooting 29.9% which is lower than his career average of 35.5%. On a nightly basis, young players like Romeo Langford, Aaron Nesmith, and Payton Pritchard have been inconsistent. On the positive end, Grant Williams is shooting a career-best 42.8% from three-pointers, and Robert Williams is averaging his best points and rebounds at nearly a double-double. Robert is also averaging 2.1 blocks per game which ranks 4th in the league.
Number 2-The Jaylen and Jayson tandem is still a work in progress: Jayson Tatum started the season struggling with his shot. It could be attributed to his lack of rest because he participated in the Olympics and contracted Covid during the season. Tatum has been part of the resurgence for this team that has won 10 of the last 14 games. Jaylen Brown has been improving his consistency this season. However, there have been doubts cast on if this duo can coexist. They have answered the doubters recently with the team 4-0 when they both score 30 points or more in a game. It matches the legendary duo of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale in 1986-87 for the most such games in a season in Celtics history. Not bad at all!
Number 1-Defensive Identity and Still in the thick of things: As the mantra goes, ‘defense wins championship’. Udoka coming from Greg Popovich’s tutelage takes pride in his team playing elite defense. The team has gotten better and better on the defensive end as the season progressed. According to stat muse, the Celtics have the best defensive rating and FG% defense in the NBA since December 25. Also, a check on the standings indicates the Celtics have a 28-25 record. They are currently ninth in the standings but just 5.5 games out of 1st place. It is a clear indication that no clear-cut favorite has emerged from a crowded field. If the Celtics build momentum and add a quality player at the trade deadline, then they could potentially be among the top seeds in the conference to complete a wild ride.
